Open AccessPhytochrome A signal transduction 1 and CONSTANS ‐ LIKE 13 coordinately orchestrate shoot branching and flowering in leafy Brassica juncea
Author(s) -
Muntha Sidra Tul,
Zhang Lili,
Zhou Yufeng,
Zhao Xuan,
Hu Zhongyuan,
Yang Jinghua,
Zhang Mingfang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.13057
Subject(s) - leafy , biology , phytochrome , arabidopsis , shoot , signal transduction , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , genetics , gene , mutant , red light
Summary Branching is a major determinant of crop yield, and enables vigorous shoot growth and the production of a dense canopy. Phytochrome A signal transduction 1 ( PAT 1) positively regulates phytochrome A signal transduction in response to light, but its effects on branching remain unknown. In this study, we mapped PAT 1 , and revealed a previously unknown role related to branching and flowering in leafy Brassica juncea . Earlier and increased branching was observed when PAT 1 expression was down‐regulated, implying that PAT 1 negatively regulates shoot branching. Additionally, down‐regulated PAT 1 expression reversed the inhibited branching induced by far‐red light, suggesting PAT 1 is involved in the shade avoidance response. PAT 1 negatively regulated branching only after bud initiation. The observed interaction between PAT 1 and BRC 1 implied that PAT 1 influences bud outgrowth in a BRC 1‐dependent manner. Biochemical and genetic evidence indicate that PAT 1 directly interacts with CONSTANS ‐ LIKE 13 ( COL 13), which negatively regulates flowering, with the resulting PAT 1– COL 13 complex mediating shoot branching and flowering. Our findings reveal a new crosstalk modality between phytochrome signalling and flowering pathways during the regulation of shoot branching and flowering. The data presented herein may be useful for future studies involving the editing of the GRAS family transcription factor PAT 1 gene to enhance crop productivity and enable earlier harvesting.